Spur-forming machine



Nov., 25,1924. y 1,517,043..

O. W. MCKNIGHT SPUR FORMING MACHINE.

Nov. 25, 1924. 1,5m@

o. w.'McKN1G|-|T SPUR FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1J:4 i921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ov., 25, T924..

mlm@ Q. W. MCIMNlGHT SPUR FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 4. 192.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 JJ d, a zr j d l *zwi /6 Patented Nov. 25, 1924.

lllhtt i @twitti OSCAR W. McKNIGI-IT, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE BRUNT TILE AND PORCELAIN COMPANY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

SPUR-FORMING MACHINE.

Application filed August 4, 1921. Serial No. 489,703.

To all whom t may concern.'

lie it known that OscAn W. McKNrci-rr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, has invented certain new and useful Improve-ments in Spur-Forming Machines, of which the following is a specification. i

This invention relates `to an improved -1nachine for forming spurs or other similar offset projections upon the shanks of securing devices which may he Aemployed for the purpose of connecting the separable sections of porcelain insulator knobs, in order that the said devices may serve, after the formation of the spurs, to prevent undue sepa ration of the sec-tions, so that the knobs as a whole may be kept in an intact and assembled condition suitable for commercial handling.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a. machine. of this nature which will constitute an improvement upon the structure disclosed in my prior Patent No. 1,814,682, issued' Sep-t. 2, 1919, by the provision of a machine wherein the knobs, togethei` with their securing devices, may be automatically fed into the machine into spur forming engagement with movable dies, in order to eliminate the necessity of manually inserting and removing each knob asis the case in my aforesaid patented structure, the automat-ic feeding of the knobs serving to provide a machine which will have a comparatively large output and an increased capacity for handling1 knobs and wherein the element of physical injury to the operator thereof will be eliminated.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a machine wherein is included an inclined table capable of receiving the knobs and their associated fastening devices, the construction of the table being such that the knobs will gravitate downwardly thereof in a predetermined path, the downward movement of such knobs will be limited by means of an adjustable stop member, which acts to engage each of the knobs so that the securing devices thereof will be positioned in registration with an anvil element, and` to provide the machine with an oscillatory die holder which is adapted to carry a pair of slightly spaced die members, the movement of the machine being so timed that when a securing device is in registration with the anvil element, the holder will be rocked so that the die members thereof will engage with the securing devi-ceI so as to produce spurs or integral offsets on the shank thereof. The die mem-bers are formed to be slightly resilient, in order that when the same are forced into engagement with a securing device, the latter will be gripped between the members, whereby upon the return of the holder to the initial position, the securing device together with the knob sections will be lifted off of the inclined table and out of engagement withl the ad-v justable stop member, whereby upon further movement? of the holder, the knob will be brought into engagement with a stationary abutment, so that the securing devices thereof may be released from engagement with the oscillating die members. Upon the release of the knob, the latter will be permitted to drop by gravity from the discharge portion of the machine and may be received upon a traveling conveyor in order that the knob may be transferred to a convenient point of collection.

For a further understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following description and to the accompanying draw-ing, in which similar characters of reference denote like and corresponding parts throughout the several views thereof. i

`In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved spur forming machine comprising the present invention. i

Figure 2 is a similar view looking toward the opposite side of the machine.

' Figure 3 is a top plan view.

Figure 4 is a detail transverse sectional view taken on thev line me of Figure and disclosing more particularly the cross sectional formation of the inclined table.

Figure 5 is a similar view taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 3, and disclosing more particularly the formation of the lower end of the table, the anvil element and the adjustable stop member.

Figure 6 is a sectional view showing in detail the constructionv of the anvil element.

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view taken through the die holder and the spur fornr ing dies carried thereby.

Figure 8 is a detail view disclosing the .cleat has its ends fprovided with die members ina spur produc-ing"position' with respect to the'lshaiik of a'l securing de-` vice o f a porcelain insulator knob, and-,-4

Figure' 'Slis a similanview disclosing-tlie construction'4 whereby theE '-VknobY Tis released from engagement with the die members.

Referring` more particularly to 'the details of the invention, the improved spur forming machine comprising the present f rnvention is formed to include a bed frame Il, preferably 'of' 'cast metal. Thei'rear end ofthis frame'isprovidedwitha pairof iipstanding bearings f2, in which is journaled" the longitudinally extending'v1 power shaft 3 of' t'hel'machineff--Thisilshaft carriesat one*- end thelusual loose" and iixedpnlleys 4t and respectively, aroundfwhich the drive belt of the maehine is adapted to -pass";'--A pivoted beltlshifting idevice-"6 beln'gemployed in con'iuilibtion'y with the ffra'ine" 1f forA the i purpose 'fofconveniently effecting the transfer of the belt from 1onefofthef'"pulleys to lthe other-l.'I "Thevshaft 3 carri`es',"in thisiinstance, atea, point between thefbearings-Z, a fixed worm?, which" is so situatedfa's to mesh with a worm `ygearfS carrie'dlupona transversely extendingv shaft 9. This latte'ishaft 'is ro-- tatafbly'fcarriied I withinl 'bearings 210 yproi'ii'ded. in 'conj uncti'ofn with thefraine -1," andi onelendl of-thelshaft is provided' with "a lixed e'ccenl" trie il, around which the ecce'i'i'tricstrap 212i is p'ositi'onedf##This'straps connected withI a rod d3, which, -in turnfhas its outer-fendl` pivotally 'connected as at with the fupper portioir of yan A'oscillatory Ydiehold'er T5.: i:

The holder 15 is, in this instance; of anguw lar efiorm'ation and 'has-its 4lower'endpivoted as atf16 upon the frame l, in order-that'the" holder-as 'a whole-ffmay oscillate about fthe' horizontal axis pro-vided by the` pivotal! conv necti'o'nwl'. `It will'beap'preciated t'hat'by' the application''of ypowerv to thewshaftf' 3, motion will be impartedjtot'he shaft 9 through.' 'the instrumentality-` of the"gear` eccentric construction llA andi'Qf to 4the l1older-l5,which in turn fis oscillat'edto an extent governed bythe throw` of the eccentric construction- Theouter end ofthe holder: -15 -isp-rovided` with a recess r`17 which has a ledge 18 projectingy thereover.V`A The wallof the recess 17 lis provided'with'l depressions in which are seated-'the'upper -endsi of a pair of slightly lspaced substantially vertically disposed' die members 19. These' members are *provided*` at --their upper ends with rounded portions whiclr larelseated' `within the said Vdepressions fand are adapted to be maintained-therein in va firm and posi"- tive manner :by means of a cleat 20. This.

openings through .which -bolts or other 'securing "de-9 vices 21 -are adapted to pass, the said bolts Y being threaded within 'registerilng openings providedin the holder" l5.` By'tightning These knobs', designated der 'that said lower ends will be 'substantially semi'circular in cross' section; 'and the spur forming edges' 24 of said members are' slighttly spaced a distance not 'tb exceed* the'diainL leter of the fastening device upon which thci' saidunembers` areadapted to operatesfAs will beherei'nafter explained, the oscillation fof-thefholder l5 1willcause the edges 2l of 'the' die' members -to leirgage -with the: `round Vshankfof a securingflevice-in order `that spurs will be'punched out' of the material l forming said shank,y the mounting for `the idle'memberscl being Asuch as yto allow-for slight relative spreading movement on the part` ofthe diemembers when the'latter engages with a securing device, in orderthat' said die members will be prevented frombe- `coming fractured and also toenable the 'same to resiliently grip the shank portions of-such devices.

i As 'shown-in Figure 4, thefporcelainknobs which arefhandl'ed by'the machine,x are of the. type commonly found for retaining ordinary electrical conductors,l andx to insulate `such conductors from adjacent"surfaces. generally l by the numeral icap `sections'QG and 2T respectively, the said sections being Zpreferably formed from porcelaim or some other insulating material and are y openings through which headed securing (le-- vices such for example as ordinary nails are adapted to pass` In recent ryears, it has vbeen customaryv to provide lprojections'of some nature on the shanks of the nails beneath the base section, in order that while thesections will be permitted to be relatively separatelto permitfof the inserting of ywires therebetween, yet the said sections cannot move a sufficient distance onthe se- Icuring devices to be wholly separated This feature admits of considerable convenience in handling the knobsiby enablingl the same 'to remain at all times in assembled forination and `to be therefore instantly ready for use. The Shanks 28 of the securing devices arepreferably formed with'integral offset spurs 29, which project laterally from the Shanks of the nails 30 a distance exceeding the1 diameter of the bore through the scetio'ns'QG and 27,` andV by' being' so 'fornicd 25, consist of separable base and-- provided with axially extending `sections will engage with the rib 33.

` the rib 83.

and located, the said spurs will effectively serve to prevent removal ofthe nails from the knobs. By the provision of the present invention, a machine is provided whereby the spurs 29 may be quickly, economically and conveniently produced upon the nails or devices 30 in a substantially automatic manner and without physical injury to the operator. i

rlhis is accomplished, primarily, by providing the frame 1 at vone end with an inclined table or shelf 31, which is suitably secured in connection with the bed 1 and, as shown in Figure 4, is provided with an inclined upper surface 32, which slopes toward an upstanding longitudinally extending rib 33 formed contiguous to one edge of the table, a longitudinally extending groove 34 being providedbetween the surface 32 and the rib 33. yIt will be manifest that by virtue of this construction, the knobs may be placed in any desired quantity longitudinally upon the table 31, so that the base By the inclined surface 32, it is not necessary that strict care should be exercised in placing the knobs upon the table, since by reason of said surface the knobs will automatically gravitate into engagement with the rib. Then the groove 34 is provided in order that the knobs may rotate upon the table when responding to the influence of gravity. It will be apparent that the only care the operator need exercise in placing they knobs on the tab-le is that which is required in locating the knob so that the nails 30 will have their pointed ends projecting toward or over The knobs when placed on the table respond to the influence of gravity and rotate toward the lower end of said table, and this movement on the part of the knobs isarrested and regulated by means of an adjustable stop member 35, carried by the bed 1 and situated aty the lower end of the table. This stop member consists of a rod 36, which includes a weakened intermediate portion 87, and an eccentric bearing portion 3S, the latter having its outer end threaded to receive a binding nut 39. Since the portion 38 is located eccentrically with respect to the knob engaging portion of the stop member, it will be manifest thatl by rotating said member in the bearing opening provided therefor in the frame 1, the relationship between the knob engaging portion of the member and the end of the table 31 may be varied, in order that lthe knobs may be stopped at various positions with respect to the lower end of the table. rI`he stoppage of the knobs is regulated so that the shanks 0f the nails BO thereof will be situated in registration with an anvil element 40. T his element is preferably formed from a suitably hardened steel and, as shown in Figure (3, includes an enlarged head 41 and a rethe nail.

duced stub portion 42, which is adapted to be received within a socket 43 provided in the frame. The head 41 thereof is formed to include a substantially V shaped groove 44, and the stop member is capable of being positioned so that the shanks of the nails, carried by the knobs 25, will bey positioned in registration with the groove 44 of the anvil element. rIhe holder 15 is pivotally mounted in such manner that upon the oscily lation thereof, the lower ends of the die members 19 will be positioned so that the same will registerI with the head of the anvil element, whereby when the holder is rocked, the spaced' edges of the die members thereof will be forced into engagement with the shank of a nail positioned upon the anvil so that the offset spurs 29 will be produced on During the formation of the spurs, the die members will be resiliently spread a slight distance so that the same will grip the'shank of the nail between the same. Therefore, when the holder begins to return to its initial position, the knob associated with the nail will be lifted from the table 3l. so as to clear the stop member' This removal of the spur provided knob from the table permits the remaining knobs on said table togravitate downwardly so that a new knob may be positioned in registration with the anvil, as will be clearly understood.

To release the knob from engagement with the rearwardly travelling die members, the present construction includes a sta,- tionary shelf or other stationary abutment 45, which isl removably bolted as at 46 to t-he bed 1. .The shelf or abutment 45 is positioned on a horizontal plane above the stop member and is so located that as the die members revolve rearwardly, the knob gripped thereby will engage the stationary shelf 45, permitting of slight longitudinal travel. otn the part of the knob. Since the die members are rotating' upwardly, it will be apparent that the engagement of the knob with. the shelf will result in causing the die members to release the shank of the nail gripped thereby, thus permitting the knob to drop into the discharge opening 47 provided in conjunction with the bed 1.r l have found it desirable to place a conveyor-48 beneath the opening 47 in order to receive the discharged knobs, and to permit the same t-o be conveyed to the position whereby t-he same may be conveniently collected. The shelf includes an upstanding angle guard 49, which serves to encase substantially the holder 15 and thereby prevents` the operator of the machine from being harmed or personally injured by the operation of the holder.

From the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a machine which will be substantially automat-ic in its operation and eafiabl'e of producing the desired spurs upon the shanks of the nails in a quick and economical manner and without injury to the products handled thereby. That vis to say, the nails will not be bent, nor will the knob sections be broken, chipped or damaged in anyv respect. It .will be noted that the inclined table, which is arranged to support and feed the knobs into an operating positio'nunde'r the dies, has its upper surface inclined as at 32 which cooperates with the longitudinally extending rib This rib is essential to the proper positioning of the nails with respect to the table, but does not insure successful operation alone, this essential point being covered by the inclined upper surface or the magazine or supporting table, acting in conjunction 'with the lengthwise,extending rib, thus making possible an orderly arrangement and a smooth, uniform and regular feed of the porcelain knobs. It will be noted that the extreme lower end of the table is provided with a lfiat surface 50 which is disposed at a. right angle to the dies. The provision of this surface -5'0 i's very 'essential as it provides means to eliminate the bending of the nails while in an operativeposition between the "dies and the anvil element, withbutthe necessity of resortingto the more complicate-d type of machine. 1t will be observed that the bar 'or rod 36 serves as lan adjustable 'device for positioning the nails propefrly under the dies. The `adjustment provided thereby serves to compensate for the vwear occasioned by contact of the hard 'porcelain knobs and serves to insure a proper centering 'ofthe nails with the anvil element.` It will be noted that the dies are constrained to travel in a path 'corresponding 't'o the arc of a circle. As motion is applied, the movable dies will be` swung torwardly into engagement with the nails and the 'ae'ssure exerted on the dies by this operation s'lightly expands the same. The pressure tending to 'expand the dies is absorbed byv the nail to an extent that makes .it possible to 'overcome the friction and weifglht oi the knobs v'above and adacent to 'the one operated upon, andV therefore, upon fthe `return travel ot' the dies, the. nail 'adheres thereto airdfis carried in a ,path corlresponding to tliefarc off a circle. As the nai-l land the lrno'b sections supported thereare carried up by the .gripping action 'of the 'diesthe weight of t'lie knobs above propels or vfeeds Ithe one adjacent into an operative position, #slightly under the knob "attached to the dies, which upon further movement on the part fof the die supporting structure lwill bring the nail into contact 'with a combined guard 'and stripper, which liras 'a slotl 5l arranged to permit of movement therethrough on the part ot the dies, but arrests or stops the travel of the nail and the porcelain sections. '1t will be observed, therefore, that the porcelain sections of the knob will not be initially cugaged by the stripper surface 45, but that the nail comes into direct contact with said stripper, thus preventing` injury to the porcelain sections. As the nail is no longer in contact or propelled by the dies, the knob falls by the action of gravity through the discharge opening 4:7, or into the position located past the center oit the knob adjacent and in an operative position with respect to the dies. This construction make-s possible a particular method et removing the knobs from the table and to permit of the discharge of the saine from the machine, and the operation of gravity will insure that the assembled product falls or is ejected clear and without interference oii all parts of the machine. Proper timing ot' the knobs containing the nails, as they are. brought into an operative position under the dies, is controlled by gravity and thus becomes an automatic feed, permitting of a. high rate of speed on the part of the operator, who is relieved of the necessity of timing his movements to correspond with the timing of the other parts ot the machine.

What is claimed is:

l. In a machine of the character described, a frame, an oscillatory tool holder carried by said fra-ine, means for oscillating said holder, a` pair of die members arranged to be carried by said hold-er, :and means Jrer automatically feeding the securing devices of insulating` knobs into the machine in a posi-tion to cause the securing devices to be gripped between Asaid die members.

2. In a machine of the character described, a iframe, an oscillatory die holdeil carri-ed -by said iframe, mea-ns for effecting the `oscillation ot' said holder, 4a paii` of die members carried by said holder, an inclined knob supporting table and means situated at one enel of said ltable for effecting the registration of the securing devices of insulator knobs with said die members.

3. In a machine of the character described, a bed frame, a pivoted die holder titi ly carried by said holder, an inclined supportingtable capable of receiving insulator knobs, means cooperative with said table for registering` the securing devices of said knobs successively with said die members, and means for effecting the discharge of the knobs from said table after being engaged by said die members.

5. ln a spur forming machine, an oscillatory die holder, a pair of spur forming dies mounted in conjunction Wit-h said holder, an inclined table capable of receiving a plurality of insulator knobs, and means situated in cooperation with said table for arresting the travel of said knobs thereon and to register the securing devices of said knobs with said die members.

6. In a spur forming machine, a frame, an oscillatory die holder movably mounted in conjunction with said frame, meansfor imparting movement to said holder, a pair of parallel die members mounted in connection with said die holder', an inclined feeding' table capable of receiving a plurality of insulator knobs, means situated at one end of said table for engaging with the lowermost of said knobs thereon to position the securing devices of said knobs in the path of movement of said die members, and an anvil element serving to provide a rest for said securing devices When the latter are engaged by said die members.

7. ln a spur forming machine, a frame, a movable die holder' connected With said frame, means for imliiarting motion to said holder, a pair of die members carried by said holder, an inclined magazine table capable of receiving a plurality of insulator knobs, a stop men'iber situated at the lower end of said table and capable of arresting the movement of said knobs in order to locate the securing devices thereof in the path of movement of said dies, and means for varying the positions of said stop member to compensate for the effects of wear thereon,

8. In a spur forming machine, a movable die holder, a pair of die members movable in conjunction with said holder, means for automatically feeding the securing devices of insulator knobs into engagement with said die members to produce spurs upon the shanks of said devices, said die members being capable of relative expanding movement When forced into engagement'. with said securing devices, and means for supporting'the shank ends of said devices when the latter are engaged by said die members.

9. ln a spur forming machine, a movable die holder, a pair of parallel die members carried b v said holder, an inclined table capable of receiving a plurality of insulator knobs through. which centrally located securing devices are adapted to pass, means for maintaining said knobs in engagement with one edge of said table, and means situated at the lower end of said table and serving to position the securing devices of said knobs in the path of movement of said die members.

10. ln a spur forming machine, a movable die structure, an inclined supporting table capableof receiving a plurality of insulator knobs, a rib extending longitudinally of said table, means formed With said table for maintaining said knobs in engagement with said rib, and means located at the lower end of said table and serving to arrest movement on the part of said knobs to successively center the securing devices of said knobs in the path of movement of said die structure.

ll.` In a spur forming machine, a movable die structure including a pair of oscillatory die members, an inclined table ca pable of' receiving a plurality of insulator knobs having centrally disposed fastening` devices passing therethrough, means for successively presenting the securing devices of each of vsaid knobs to the action of said die members, whereby spurs Will be produced upon said devices, said die members serving to frictionally grip said devices during the spur forming operation, whereby the knobs Will be caused to travel in unison. with said die structure upon the return of the latter to an initial position, and a stripping device capable of engaging a portion of said knobs to release the latter from engagement with said die members.

' 12. In a spur forming machine, a movable die structure including a pair of spaced parallel die members, an inclined table capable of supporting a plurality of insulator knobs carrying centrally disposed fastening devices, a stop member situated at one end of said table and operating to arrest gravitational travel on the part of said knobs to register the securing devices thereof successively with said die members, said members serving to produce spurs upon the shanks of said devices and to frictionally grip the latter, and a stripping device disposed in the path of movement of said knobs during the movement of the latter in unison With the die structure and operating to effec-t the release of said knobs and to discharge the same from the machine.

13. In a spur -forming machine, an oscillatory die holder, means for effecting oscillation on the part of the die holder, a pair of die members rigidly carried by said holder. said members including relatively7 spaced cutting ends, a feeding mechanism capable of delivering the fastening devices of insulator knobs into said machine so that. the shanks of said devices Will be presented to the action of the cutting ends of said die members, whereby said die members Will operate to produce spurs upon said devices and to vfrictionally grip the latter, and means movable die structure carried in' conjunction with the frame, an inclined' feeding table capable of yreceivinga plurality oi insulator knobs-carrying centrally disposed fasteningdevices," a rib extending longitudinally of said table, the upper 'surface-.oiI said table '.-beingninclined-in such mannerdas to maintain'certain of `the ends -of said knobs in engagement with said rib, and a stop membensitua-ted at the lower end'of said table and capableof presenting-the securing devices of said knobs to the .action of the `die structure.

lun ya spur'forming machine, a frame, a movable die structure carried by the frame; an inclined feeding t-ablecapable of receiving a pluralityfof insulator knobs carrying f centrally disposed securing devices, a rib extendinglongitudinally ot' saidtable, the upper surta'ceof saiditabl'e being formed' with an inclinedsurfacetendingto direct certain oit lthe edgesof saidiknobs towards said rib,

said; table beingd'urther `formed lwith a groovebetween `the rib,v 'and #the `.inclined upper surfaced-hereof, and a sto-p member situatedxat the lovver endot saidtab'le and capable of arresting movementon -the part of saidf 'knobs Vto vcenter the securing devices thereofin they path of movement oi said die structure.y i

16.1n aI spur forming machinega frame,"a traveling .die structure moun-ted Iin conj unc-- tionirvithz-the frame, -an inclined table capable yof receiving plurality ol' `insulator knobs carrying *centrally disposed securing` devicesy a. rib extending longitudinally of saidftable, the uppersur-ace oi' saidtable being inclined in the direction of said rib to `maintain the knobs in engagement with the rib, means disposed at one end ot' said table for arresting movement on the part ot the knobs to present the Shanks of the securing devices thereof to the action ol the die structure, vthe said table having the lower end-thereof contiguous to the stop means provided with a flat surfaces-idd latter sur .tace acting to present the Shanks ot thesecuring devices to the action ot the die structure without incurring bending on-the' part of said devices.

' 1T. In aspur forming machinera frame, a travelling :die structure arried by said frame, an inclined table supported in connection with said frame, said table being adapted to receive a. plurality oli' insulator knobs carryingl centrallyidisposed fastening` devices, airadjustable rod member situated at one end of said table and serving to arrest gravitational travel on lthe part of said knobs to present the securing devices thereof to the spur producing action of said die structure, and means tor adjusting-saidfrod member to compensate 'for the retects of wear.

18. ln a spur forming machine. a frame. an oscillatory diefholder pivotally carried by said trame, means Jfor oscillatingr said holder, a pair of Yparallel die members clamped to said holder, an inclined table capable or receiving porcelain insulator knobs carryingcentrally disposed mechanical securing devices. a stop member situated at one end of said table and operating to arrest travel on the part of said knobs to align the shank ends` of the securingdevices thereof with said die members, and a removable anvil element having a. groove lor'med therein for the Ireception oit said securingdevices when the Vlatter are engaged by said die members.

.Y ln testimony whereof l alix` my signature.

OSCAR W. McKNlGll'P.

Til 

